More funds for public defender in Jackson Co.

Posted: Thursday, October 07, 1999

By Ben DeckStaff Writer

JEFFERSON -- Donna Avans, the lead attorney in the newly created public defender's office in Jackson County, will get a big enough pay raise as a county employee to drop her private law practice, but that was not the benefit she was looking forward to Wednesday.

''I'm just excited about having someone else to answer my phone,'' Avans said.

Avans said she has been working as a public defender in Jackson County since 1991, under a contract that a paid a set amount each year for her services. This year, her contract paid $70,000, covering salary and office expenses.

But under a deal worked out between county officials and Superior Court judges in late September, Avans will become a county employee at the end of the year. The county will also pay for a second attorney for the office, and for a part-time receptionist.

Avans said she will make $70,000 a year, the second attorney will make $50,000 a year and the receptionist will make $7 an hour. The county will also cover office expenses, and the total bill each year will be between $160,000 and $170,000, she said.

The previous contract did not pay enough for more than one employee, Avans said, adding that she had to run a separate law practice just to make ends meet. The new deal will allow her to work solely for the county, she said.

But, although the extra money will allow Avans to focus on defending clients for the county, she said the biggest plus for her is the extra help included in the deal.

After working solo since 1991, Avans said she was burned out and had decided not to renew her contract this year.

But the prospect of working with another attorney to share the load changed things, Avans said.

On Dec. 1, Atlanta attorney Steve Reighard will come to work for Jackson County, and a receptionist who has not been hired yet is scheduled to start Jan. 1, according to Avans.

''It suddenly sounded like a different job -- it actually sounds pleasant now,'' she said, adding, ''I went to law school to be a public defender.''